Regiment Commander’s WW2 Gallantry

Lt. Col. J. Anthony Marsh, the last commander of the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the second commanding officer of the Bermuda Regiment, won one of the highest military honours awarded by Britain for an act of conspicuous gallantry while under enemy attack in Italy during World War Two [1939-1945].

A member of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry [DCLI] attached to the 1st Special Air Services Regiment [SAS] with the acting rank of captain, the 23-year-old was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order [DSO] for his valour during a battle with German forces following the Allied invasion of Italy in September, 1943.

He is pictured here at the time, sporting the legendary SAS Parachute Wings badge.

The DSO was established by Queen Victoria in 1886 to recognise individual instances of meritorious service under fire and is often regarded as an acknowledgement that recipients only just missed out on the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour Britain bestows.

A 1984 obituary by Derrick Harrison noted: “It was during the battle to hold Termoli, when the German counter attacked in division strength, that Tony Marsh showed most clearly those natural qualities of command that earned him the respect of all who operated with him.”

Commanding troops from the SAS’ Special Raiding Squadron, according to his DSO citation:” Captain Marsh, with 56 men, was holding a front of one mile on the right flank of the Sector west of Termoli.

“At mid-day on the 5th October 1943, his positions were subjected to very heavy and accurate shelling and mortar fire, at the height of which, his position was further weakened by the transfer of one of his sections to another sector.

“At this time the enemy was developing a determined counter-attack on his left flank. Despite the intensity of enemy fire he held fast and with his own fire pinned down groups of the enemy infantry which attempted to infiltrate into his position. Later in the afternoon several of his men were badly wounded, whilst some distance away on his right flank his remaining other section was being gradually forced back.

“Although by this time, Captain Marsh’s position had become untenable, he refused to move until he was able to communicate his intention to the troops on his left. Meanwhile, with his few remaining men, he succeeded in beating off further attacks on his position by German Infantry.

“Striking north to join up with his right hand section he came across two wounded men. From them he learned that he was completely cut off, but pushed on, taking the wounded men with him, until finally pinned down by machine gun fire. He eventually succeeded in evacuating all the wounded men to our own lines under cover of darkness although only 150 yards from an enemy post.

“Throughout Captain Marsh showed great coolness and determination. His high standard of courage and complete disregard for personal safety throughout the operation played a decisive part in saving a very dangerous situation.”

After the D-Day Landings on June 6, 1944 he was parachuted in behind enemy lines to help organise the French resistance forces and he continued to operate behind the German lines in Belgium, Holland, Germany and finally Norway.

British-born Lt.Col. Marsh first came to Bermuda in the 1950s when he commanded the “A” Company of the DCLI then stationed on the island at the old Prospect British military garrison.

Then DCLI Bermuda Company Commander Major Anthony Marsh Accompanies Princess Margaret As She Inspects Troops At Prospect, 1955

He retired from the British military in 1958 but returned to Bermuda to work for the Trade Development Board, forerunner to the Tourism Ministry.

Six months later he was commissioned into the Bermuda Militia Artillery which he commanded until the amalgamation of the island’s forces into the Bermuda Regiment in 1965.

Lt. Col. Marsh died in Bermuda in 1984 at the age of 64.

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